WATCH: Pregnant woman swallows 14-inch sword

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DALLAS, Tex. — What one Texas woman is doing while she is nine months pregnant may be the ultimate “don’t try this at home” activity.

Veronica Hernandez, who is stage performer, swallows a 14-inch real sword right down her esophagus, past her heart and into her stomach.

“Pregnant women, all of our insides are pretty much pressed up, so I have to take that into consideration. And that’s why I have to use a shorter blade versus one that most people use,” Hernandez explained. “It basically is knowledge of the human body and what it really is capable of.”

Hernandez said it took her two and a half years to master the technique safely. But the act became an entirely new challenge when she got pregnant.

“It doesn’t interfere with the baby itself. It’s mainly me and if I take the precautions for myself, everything will be fine,” Hernandez said. “You have to take in your posture, into consideration the difference in weight from my belly.”

Hernandez also eats fire as part of her act, but has decided to put that on hold until after her son is born.